Jaeden, a young man who first stepped into combat sports simply to protect himself from bullying, eventually discovered something much deeper—a true love for wrestling. His early career was filled with struggles, but it was at his lowest point that everything changed. Hitting rock bottom forced Jaeden to look inward, and through that process, he found passion, discipline, and a commitment to becoming better—not just as an athlete, but as a person.

Wrestling became the vehicle that taught Jaeden how to fully invest in himself. It demanded accountability, consistency, and grit—qualities that shaped him into the hardworking competitor he is today.

One of the most interesting aspects of Jaeden’s journey is the persona he developed along the way. Known for what we might see as arrogance in training and competition, Jaeden reveals in the podcast that this “alter ego” was built out of fear—specifically, the fear of failure. Instead of letting that fear break him, he transformed it into fuel. That edge, that intensity, became his armor. It pushed him to train multiple times a day, chasing improvement and refusing to settle.

Through that grind, Jaeden didn’t just become better physically—he discovered a new version of himself as a competitor.

Despite the outward persona, there’s another side to Jaeden that stands out even more. He genuinely cares about the people he trains with. After tough rounds, he’s the one who stays behind to help—breaking down positions, showing adjustments, and pushing his partners to grow. His goal isn’t just to win; it’s to elevate everyone around him.

That mindset translated into real results. Jaeden fought his way to becoming a regional finalist and earned a 3rd place finish at State. While a critical mistake kept him out of the state finals, the bigger victory was internal. Earlier in his career, setbacks like that might have caused him to shut down or walk away. This time, he didn’t. He stayed in the fight, regrouped, and finished strong.

Because in the end, the most important match wasn’t on the bracket—it was the one against himself.

And this time, Jaeden won.

Manny “The Comeback” Saldate, an Oregon State Beavers wrestling standout, finally joins the podcast. Manny gives us the rundown on what it’s like to be one of the best—if not the best—to ever come out of Nevada. He dives into a journey built on relentless work ethic and fully embracing the grind that wrestling demands.

Manny takes us back to where it all started. He began with the infamous Team GV wrestling club at just 4 years old. Even as a little kid, Manny was putting in extra work on the side during practice. That dedication caught attention early—until one day, a coach told his parents it was time to get him a pair of wrestling shoes. That moment marked the beginning of something special, making Manny the youngest member in GV history.

After his time at GV, Manny transitioned to SLAM Wrestling Club for a short stint before his family found their home at Pistol Petes Wrestling Club—which would soon evolve into Gold Rush Wrestling Club under Chase Pami. Under Pami’s guidance, Manny continued leveling up, chasing bigger goals and capitalizing on every opportunity in front of him. Gold Rush became the perfect environment for his growth, and Manny took full advantage.

During his high school career alongside his time with Gold Rush, Manny stacked an elite resume. Just a few highlights include: Fargo Champion, U20 U.S. Open Champion, Doc B finalist, multi-time Fargo All-American, and a consistent top-10 national ranking. And that’s only scratching the surface.

While the list goes on, these accomplishments alone make a powerful case—Manny Saldate is arguably the greatest high school wrestler Nevada has ever produced.

Omaree, a young and inspiring coach with a big personality, joins Daniel on the Caution Stalling Podcast. Sharing a strong relationship with the host, Omaree reflects on his journey into the coaching world and how that connection helped shape his path. While he has done an excellent job creating opportunities for himself, he also opens up about the challenges he’s faced—especially the internal battles with feeling ready for those moments.

Throughout the episode, Omaree takes listeners through his development as a coach, diving into the origins of his personality and how it translates into his work. He speaks in detail about what he’s learned along the way, while also being honest about the areas he knows he still needs to improve. His mindset as a go-getter stands out, as he shares how he actively seeks growth opportunities—reaching out to programs, attending walkthroughs, and participating in coach-alongs whenever possible.

Omaree also emphasizes the importance of every sport he’s involved in, including flag football, football, and baseball. His passion for coaching goes beyond just one game—it’s about impacting athletes across different environments and continuing to grow through each experience.

Toward the end of the conversation, Omaree opens up about his bigger aspirations. He and Daniel reflect on his high school days, where he was known for his outgoing personality—often spending more time at school than at home. He shares stories about creating a short film and how much he enjoyed the process, showing another side of his creativity. With that same energy and charisma, Omaree even hints at the possibility of one day stepping into the world of WWE, where his personality could truly shine.

James Zuniga, a multi-sport athlete and the younger brother of Mark Zuniga—a previous guest on the show—joins Daniel on the Caution Stalling Podcast. James reflects on his experiences competing in both soccer and wrestling. While he makes it clear that soccer is his true passion, he also opens up about the grind of wrestling and some of the personal disconnect he has felt with the sport over the years.

James has spent a significant amount of time competing in wrestling. Although it has never fully captured his heart, he openly shares that the sport has given him many things to be grateful for. One of the biggest connections he has to wrestling is his brother Mark. That relationship helped keep James tied to the sport and shaped much of his journey on the mat. He reflects on the long road he has traveled in wrestling and how the experience has helped mold him both as an athlete and as a person.

When the conversation shifts to soccer, James’ passion immediately becomes clear. He loves the team dynamic and the fact that the sport is played outdoors. James talks about how he first got started with soccer and explains the difference between high school soccer and the club level. Club soccer, in particular, has opened his eyes to the game in a new way—allowing him to learn new positions, grow as a player, and experience the travel that comes with competing at a higher level.

By the end of the conversation, James’ story highlights an important reality many athletes face: being talented in multiple sports doesn’t always mean loving them equally. His journey shows the internal battles athletes can experience when balancing family traditions with personal passions. While James isn’t forced to wrestle, he admits that it can be difficult to fully commit when his heart is drawn so strongly toward the game of soccer (which is okay). His story is an example of following your heart.

Kainoa, a multi-sport athlete from Las Vegas High School, joins the podcast to reflect on his athletic journey. A three-year varsity football letterman and four-year varsity wrestler, Kainoa balanced two demanding sports while becoming a key contributor to a strong Las Vegas football program and building an impressive wrestling résumé.

The youngest of his siblings, Kainoa often speaks about the importance of family. Coming from a strong foundation, he credits his support system for helping him pursue his goals and become the person he set out to be. His faith has also played a major role in shaping both him and his family, serving as a constant source of guidance and motivation throughout his journey.

On the wrestling side, Kainoa is a two-time State Finalist and capped off his senior year by winning the 4A State Championship at 150 pounds. Over time, he developed a deep love for the sport, which led him to focus more heavily on wrestling as his career progressed. While he continued to give everything he had to football, he made sacrifices in the offseason to put himself in better positions on the mat.

After practices and during the offseason, Kainoa consistently sought extra work, frequently attending club practices and continuing to train whenever possible. That dedication ultimately paid off, helping him reach the top of the podium in his final high school season.

Ryder, a sophomore in high school, has built himself into a State Champion — not through flash or hype, but through discipline and a willingness to embrace what’s difficult. For much of his early journey, he was simply trying to find his way in the sport. What separated him wasn’t immediate dominance, but his commitment to doing the hard things over and over again. Now, as a State Champion, Ryder speaks with gratitude about the lessons in accountability, toughness, and resilience that wrestling has given him as a young man.

Ryder is quick to joke about being a “staller,” embracing the comments with a smile. While the label doesn’t truly define his style, it doesn’t bother him either. In high-level matches, many elite wrestlers become calculated and protective of position. Ryder understands that strategy. Though he confidently expresses his ability to score, he admits he often feels more comfortable shutting down opponents’ attacks than initiating them. It’s a self-awareness that reflects his growth — from youth wrestling, to his freshman season, to now capturing a State Title as a sophomore.

He also opens up about early struggles in his career. Without going into deep detail, Ryder shares two pivotal challenges he faced as a child: weight cutting and the pressure to win. At just 11 years old, he experienced a 16-pound weight cut — something that shaped his perspective on the sport. He also put immense pressure on himself to win, driven by his admiration for his coaches and his desire to make them proud.

The turning point came in high school under Coach Pineda. Coach Pineda removed the burden of outcome and asked Ryder to focus on one thing — wrestling hard. That shift changed everything. By emphasizing effort over results, Ryder was freed to compete without fear. He learned how to process losses, how to grow from them, and how to separate his identity from the scoreboard. That period became one of the most critical stages of his development.

Today, Ryder stands not just as a State Champion, but as an athlete shaped by adversity, perspective, and the right guidance at the right time. His story is a reminder that growth doesn’t always come from winning — it often comes from learning how to handle everything that comes with it.

Eduardo never imagined himself on a wrestling mat. Soccer was where he believed his athletic future belonged. Having just moved to Las Vegas, he was quiet, reserved, and unsure of himself. Wrestling wasn’t even on his radar—until a single move he learned in PE class unexpectedly changed the next several years of his life.

Though he started wrestling later than most, Eduardo made the absolute most of his opportunity through relentless dedication. He joined a club and showed up every single day. That first summer wasn’t filled with victories. In fact, success came slowly—but he kept showing up.

Working with Coach Frank, Eduardo embraced his creativity and developed a unique “funk” wrestling style. While that scrambling, risk-taking approach sometimes led to shortcomings, he refused to abandon it. Instead of backing away from the positions that exposed him, he leaned into them. After practice, he stayed behind, asking questions and drilling situations over and over again until they became strengths.

By senior year, everything changed.

At the Nevada 5A State Championships, competing at 150 pounds, Eduardo stood on the podium as a 4th-place finisher. Just one year earlier, he had been a junior varsity wrestler in his first season ever. He hadn’t won JV Zones. He went 0–2 at Regionals as an alternate.

But none of that defined him.

That 0–2 performance didn’t discourage him—it fueled him. He took it personally. He made a promise to himself that he would never feel that helpless again. Through discipline, consistency, and belief in his own style, Eduardo transformed from a timid newcomer into a state placer.

His journey wasn’t built on early success. It was built on resilience.

Kaija joins the podcast and brings an incredible amount of energy to her story. What began as wrestling in high school simply to be around the boys quickly turned into something much deeper. Kaija found a true connection to the sport and developed a genuine love for wrestling. While she’s achieved significant success, much of her journey—and daily athletic life—has been a battle. Kaija is truly inspiring.

A top wrestler in Nevada, Kaija battles more than just opponents on the mat. Alongside the grind and hardships every wrestler faces, she also manages diabetes—something that changes everything in a sport built around making weight. While she has done an incredible job competing even five pounds under, it’s a challenge far greater than most understand. At times, she has to step off the mat to prioritize her health. Monitoring weight alone is exhausting for wrestlers; balancing that while needing to intake sugar adds another layer of difficulty few ever experience.

Kaija is more than just a wrestler. She’s a retired high-level gymnast, a track athlete, and a powerlifting competitor. Her pursuit of excellence shows up in every phase of her life, not just when she’s wearing a Green Valley singlet. Her dedication, resilience, and daily battles are what truly make Kaija extraordinary.